Learning Forward's Standards for Professional Learning emphasize the needs and responsibilities of adults as learners. This is especially true for the Learning Designs standard, which states: "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students integrates theories, research, and models of human learning to achieve its intended outcomes." Within the standard are three critical concepts: (1) Apply learning theories, research, and models; (2) Select learning designs; and (3) Promote active engagement. This article provides a brief synopsis of the April 2014 issue of the "Journal of Staff Development." The articles throughout this issue are intended to help to develop deeper understandings of these concepts.